MLB: Toronto Blue Jays sizing up free agents

The Blue Jays like what Carlos Villanueva delivers as a swingman, but might not be willing to pay starter money to keep him.

By:Brendan KennedySports Reporter, Published on Tue Oct 30 2012

Baseball’s free agency period officially opened Monday with the formal paperwork filed by 137 eligible players. But the frenzy won’t begin until 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning when players can begin signing with new teams. Until then, teams have exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says his club will be very active this year — they have big holes to fill in the rotation, at second base and potentially left field — but before they go after other available players, they have to make decisions under their own roof. Here’s a look at which Blue Jays are eligible for free agency and how they might fit into the club’s plans.

2012 salary: $2.3 million

Stats: 125.1 IP, 7-7, 4.16 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

Villanueva proved how valuable he can be when he seamlessly stepped out of the bullpen and into the rotation to become the Jays’ most reliable starter through the middle of the season. Anthopoulos would like to keep Villanueva in that role — as a swingman — but the pitcher feels he’s proven himself as a full-time starter and will be looking for a starter’s salary. Chances are someone will pay him what he wants, but it probably won’t be the Jays.

2012 salary: $6.4 million

Stats: 16 HR, 55 RBIs, .225 AVG, .313 OBP, .365 SLG

The Jays are unlikely to make an offer to Johnson, who tied the franchise record for strikeouts in a single season and posted one of the worst on-base percentages among second basemen. They will look to fill second base either through trade, free agency or internal competition. If Yunel Escobar is still on the roster come spring training and the Jays do not acquire a second baseman in the off-season, Adeiny Hechavarria will compete with Mike Aviles — the Jays’ bounty in the John Farrell deal — for the everyday duties.

2012 salary: $5.5 million

Stats: 61 IP, 3.10 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

Anthopoulos will make an offer to Lyon, who allowed just eight runs in 25 innings after coming over from the Houston Astros. Trouble is it may not be enough, in either money or term. Presumably the Jays will want to offer him something in the neighbourhood of what they paid Jason Frasor, or about two-thirds of what Lyon made last year.

2012 salary: $3.8 million

Stats: 43.2 IP, 4.12 ERA, 1.47 WHIP

After acquiring right-handers Steve Delabar and Brad Lincoln at the deadline, along with the emergence of lefty Aaron Loup, Brett Cecil’s move to the bullpen and the expected return of Sergio Santos, there isn’t much room left for Frasor, who holds the franchise record for career appearances. If Darren Oliver comes back and the Jays re-sign Lyon, there definitely won’t be any room. Frasor is likely going to have to test the free-agent waters for the second time in as many years.

2012 salary: $4 million

Stats: 56.2 IP, 2.06 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

Oliver is not an unrestricted free agent. The Jays have a $3 million club option for the 2013 season. Anthopoulos has expressed a clear interest in keeping Oliver through next season by exercising that option, but the 42-year-old has suggested he may be ready to call it a career and move back home to Kansas City.

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